Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Scheming in the Shadows
"The upper limit of marksmanship lies in controlling distance and breath?"
On the way back, Fang Yu muttered to himself.
This sentence is actually quite mysterious.
Breath?
What exactly is breath? And what is oppressive atmosphere?
Controlling distance can be understood, but the distance where one feels comfortable and the opponent feels uncomfortable is hard to grasp.
However, Fang Yu actually knows very well that this seemingly mysterious oppressive atmosphere really exists.
Back on Blue Star, Fang Yu played a game called Dota2.
In this game, skilled players can increase pressure on opponents just by strategic movement, making them feel they’re about to be singled out at any moment.
As the intensity increases, it can even cause the opponent’s actions to falter.
The confrontation seems mysterious, but it truly exists.
Coach Chang Yunyi today, besides teaching him an extraordinary ability related to movement, suggested that he try to find a more skilled teacher in terms of movement strategy and learn simultaneously.
Chang Yunyi is adept at concealment and not particularly skilled in movement strategy.
But he has seen true masters and knows where the room for improvement in marksmanship lies, so he gave Fang Yu many sensible suggestions.
In short, the one-day fee of ten thousand Copper Coins was well worth it!
...
Returning to the side of the ship, Fang Yu was somewhat surprised that...
Lu Kun had come.
"Mr. Lu, what’s going on? It’s only been half a day!"
Fang Yu looked at Lu Kun, confused as to why Lu Kun had suddenly sought him out.
"Could it be that something unexpected happened with Wang Chen?" Fang Yu suddenly thought of something, starting in shock.
"It’s not him!" Lu Kun shook his head, "The evidence has just been submitted, it’s just started. Once his search warrant is issued, I’ll send you a message."
"Then what is it..."
Fang Yu was puzzled.
"Brother... Your Sea Ore Island permit... was not approved..."
Lu Kun hesitated.
"What?!"
Fang Yu was shocked, "How could this be? Isn’t the Sea Ore Island project about to kick Wang Chen out soon? You’re pretty much the main manager, how could the application not go through?"
Fang Yu was indeed a bit surprised.
The reason he wasn’t in a hurry to execute the task assigned by the Ocean Court was purely because he intended to visit Sea Ore Island during this voyage and handle both tasks simultaneously to earn double rewards.
But everything was prepared, and you tell me the Sea Ore Island permit wasn’t issued?
"Brother, it’s likely the deputy chairman behind Wang Chen is causing trouble."
Lu Kun’s face was resentful as he spoke to Fang Yu, "In the Ji Clan Trading Association, there’s a rule that if any member above A-grade feels that a certain voyage or business might involve risks, they have the power of single veto."
The president has already requested a review, but once it enters the review process, the deputy chairman will stall the progress using various excuses like risk assessment and investigation."
"Although the longest period can’t exceed a month, being dragged for this duration without approval is quite annoying."
Upon hearing Lu Kun’s words, Fang Yu was speechless:
"Isn’t the shareholders’ meeting dealing with him?"
"They can’t!" Lu Kun shook his head, "The deputy chairman has been on a strong trend lately. He’s established several munitions factories that reportedly have excellent sales channels for firearms, generating profits reaching over 30% of the entire Ji Clan Trading Association."
Along with his other businesses, the commercial profits of his faction are already approaching 45% of the Ji Clan Trading Association."
"He’s got a significant influence in the shareholders’ meeting, and shareholders don’t want to offend him."
Fang Yu was stunned, it was his first time hearing about the internal factional divisions within the Ji Clan Trading Association.
He didn’t expect this shameless deputy chairman to be so formidable, reaching a profit ratio of 45%.
This is no small feat, considering the vast scope of industries the Ji Clan Trading Association covers: maritime affairs, mining, textiles, food, and munitions.
Reaching 45% is already considered thriving.
He had reported Wang Chen to the court, considering it an offense to the deputy chairman, who used his authority to target him in return.
Fang Yu sneered.
At this moment, his expression shifted as he suddenly thought of a question.
"Wait, Mr. Lu, the sea minerals I transport from Sea Ore Island, aren’t they supposed to be shipped to munitions factories as raw materials?"
"Uh... Although they go through a series of refinements in between, their final destination is indeed for processing into firearm materials."
Lu Kun scratched his head, "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing..."
Fang Yu muttered, recalling the Lighthouse Association’s recent involvement in providing illegal arms to warlord forces.
At the time, the enforcement team captain suspected that Ji Clan Trading Association might be the supplier of illegal arms to the Lighthouse Association.
Now it seems, the captain’s suspicion might not be unfounded.
Upon reflection, it seems only the Marine Army is purchasing large quantities of firearms recently.
Fang Yu pondered internally, suppressing this speculation, and then shook his head slightly as he looked at Lu Kun in front of him, saying, "Mr. Lu, could you handle this matter for me? I have another offshore voyage to attend to soon, and when I return, I’ll check if the approval can go through."
"Alright!"
Lu Kun nodded and prepared to leave.
At this moment, Fang Yu suddenly reached out to pull Lu Kun back, whispering, "Mr. Lu, why don’t you investigate their munitions factory’s accounts these days? With your authority, you should have a chance to access them, right?"
"And check their sea transportation routes as well, perhaps you might find something."
"What do you mean? Do you think there’s a problem with their munitions factory? Rest assured, the channel supplying the factory is..."
Lu Kun shook his head, about to speak, but Fang Yu interrupted him in a whisper, "Just investigate it, don’t look at what’s on the surface. On the surface, everyone is clean, investigate the hidden side, maybe you’ll discover something."
Lu Kun paused, then squinted slightly, gaining a vague understanding of Fang Yu’s intentions.
He wasn’t a fool, getting the point quickly, understanding Fang Yu’s purpose instantly.
"Alright, I got it..."
Lu Kun nodded, then looked at Fang Yu, "Safe travels, I’ll wait for your news."
"Alright!"
...
The next day after chatting with Lu Kun, Fang Yu directly ordered the Salted Fish to set sail.
He originally wanted to wait for Lu Kun’s Sea Ore Island deal.
But after hearing what Lu Kun said yesterday, Fang Yu didn’t want to waste time on this matter anymore.
This incident made Fang Yu deeply realize... Not to put all eggs in one basket.
If he only had the Ji Clan Trading Association line of influence, this time, with the deputy chairman pulling such a trick, Fang Yu would have been disgusted to the point of being stuck.
Luckily, Fang Yu also had the Ocean Court line to follow, where he wouldn’t have to worry about encountering any high-level corruption or malpractice, because a report and complaint combo could make the opponent surrender.
Even without the Ji Clan Trading Association deal, it’s fine...
Just right, this voyage allows him to explore the treasures on the treasure maps.
Among the 5 treasure maps, 2 of them have positions very close to this trip’s destination!